Gabriel Edidem Bassey was born in Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria. I am the first of Edidem Bassey’s children. My middle name EDIDEM is an Annang language word meaning King. The media addressed my father as jesus christ of Ikot Ekpene. On national and local newspaper including magazines he carried head line as jesus christ in the 70’s and early 90’s. As a King he ruled his kingdom successful for 40 years. He was gifted with the power of healing, prophecy, dreams and visions. All the miracles Jesus Christ performed, jesus christ of Ikot Ekpene did them except walked on water and raised himself from the grave. He was the most popular, influential, powerful and the richest religious leader in Africa. His involvement in business ventures such as agriculture, raising chicken, goats, pigs for commercial use, real estate, transportation, restaurant, convenience stores, recording company, construction company, publishing company, tailoring just to name a few made him a multi- billionaire. Yes, God told me to leave all that and follow HIM. I must emphasize it’s the best decision I have ever made. THIS IS A BIBLICAL TRUTH, FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST WILL COST YOU EVERYTHING. He was not kidding folks.
I graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, was ordained in 2015 as a minister by the Harvest Light Ministries in 2015. As a young boy in Nigeria, my greatest challenge was having to decide if I was going to follow the road of less resistance (all first sons before me in Africa had been following) or was I going to resist the cultural definition of who I am, what I am about and how I am to live my life, or was I going to allow double portion culture, rights, privileges, power, millions, billions and in most cases trillions of father’s investments “inheritance” label me successful according to World’s definition or was I going to allow God to register me in the University of adversity in America where am taught, tested and assign to my purpose on this earth? This is the truth I know. I was created to transition first son’s culture to purpose driven mentality where stewardship of God’s resources is effectively managed in all families for the benefit of future Generations. Serve orphans in Nigeria and not to be served on my father’s throne. Knowing that servanthood is the highest position in the economy of God I am honored to follow the example of Jesus Christ and my father, the spiritual king, Edidem Bassey.
I must say this, my father did not raise me alone. My mother’s knowledge of the secret recipe of my father’s success in the ministry resulted in my understanding the DO’S and DON’T’S of life, a priceless inheritance my father left me in his own mystery room he called GREEN ROOM. First sons of Kings just don’t walk away from their father’s trillion Naira empire every day without a reason, or do they? I don’t know about you but I know this, without my mother I would not have passed elementary school not to speak of coming to America for further studies. My message to first sons in Africa is simply this, being the first son will not get you to Heaven. It will not put food on your table either. My mother was very clear about this. There is no way around honor and respect to your parents. First sons and father’s relationship is powerful. Pursue it with all you have. It’s one of the ways a father’s blessings is activated. DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE, WALK IN IT AND LEAVE THE REST TO GOD.
My name is Sarah Gabriel Bassey, wife of Gabriel Edidem Bassey. Our lives were so different, that one could not see our paths ever crossing. My husband is from a royal family and I am the granddaughter of a first-generation sharecropper from Mississippi. It is interesting to know that the differences that we allow God to use in our marriage is what makes us one. I am honored to be my husband’s helper. I do not take this responsibility lightly, neither does my husband take his responsibility as the head of his family lightly. It all begins with us knowing the meaning of marriage covenant.
My grandfather moved from Tennessee at the age of 5. He got married and decided to make it on his own with his young family and ended up on a plantation that was run by a wealthy white man. I hated that life even as a young child but it did not help to hate it because at the age of 5 I had to work in the cotton field alongside the rest of the family.
In spite of all my ugly childhood experiences I graduated from High School with honors at the age of 17. Learning wasn’t hard for me. I had always dreamed of college but felt in my heart that there was no way to make it a reality. How many of you know that God is not one of the ways, he is the only way and the only way maker? I had wanted to be a teacher from the time I was 4 years old. My mother and grandmother knew that I was not cut out to be a farmer. Consequently, purpose, prayer and desire changed things. I do not have the space to write all of the things that transpired but I completed 4 years of college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science and at a much, much later time in my life I complected my Master’s Degree in Education. My biggest goal in life is to stand by my husband and be his biggest cheerleader. I was also ordained in 2015 by Pastor William NeSmith at Harvest Light Ministries in Savannah, Georgia.
Your prayers for our work are greatly appreciated!
